feel suspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feel suspicious" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is most often used to express a feeling of being uneasy or cautious about a particular situation, person, or idea. For example: The sound of footsteps outside my window made me feel suspicious.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

It is when I read the word "grater" that I begin to feel suspicious.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Which is why I feel suspicious about baseball nostalgia — it seems dangerously close to nostalgia for an old pre-integration version of the game.

The New York Times

The managing director of Tendensha, Takayuki Fujimoto, said in a statement: "We feel suspicious of the politically motivated attempt to obliterate genuine academic research into a historical event.

The Guardian

In truth, I feel suspicious of some of these agencies, which emerge in tiny shop fronts and seem not to require much qualification to become a tutor.

The Guardian

From a distance the album looks as if it's putting exoticism, or sometimes primitivism, before insight; you might feel suspicious of it.

The New York Times - Arts

Almost every kid feels slightly odd and out of it from time to time, and even the most ordinary, puzzling event can feel suspicious when you're in the sixth grade.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

If communication with an employer or company feels suspicious, end the communication immediately.

Columbia University

You'd think the company would get that, and that rebranding, generally, feels suspicious.

The New Yorker

Now, with news that the doctor was the will's beneficiary, Mrs. Woodruff felt suspicious.

The New York Times

He took the praise from English reviewers but felt suspicious of it.

The Guardian - Books

And then part of me felt suspicious that they really had named her Mulan because of the movie.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "feel suspicious" to express a gut feeling or intuition that something is not right. It's appropriate when you lack concrete evidence but have a strong sense of unease. For example: "I feel suspicious about his sudden change in behavior."

Common error

Avoid using "feel suspicious" as a justification for making direct accusations without any supporting evidence. It's important to distinguish between a feeling and a substantiated claim. Saying "I feel suspicious, so you must be lying" is an example of misuse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel suspicious" functions as a declarative statement expressing a subjective emotional state. It connects the subject's perception with a feeling of unease or distrust. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is suitable in many contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel suspicious" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a sense of unease or distrust, as Ludwig AI confirms. It functions as a declarative statement, conveying a personal emotion about a situation or person. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for various contexts. Remember, while it's valid to "feel suspicious", avoid making direct accusations without supporting evidence. Instead of just "feeling suspicious", you can explore alternative phrases like "have a sneaking suspicion" or "be wary of" to nuance your expression. So, while "feel suspicious" is a reliable indicator of your gut feeling, ensure you use it responsibly and back it up with observation, if possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a sneaking suspicion

Emphasizes a subtle, often unconfirmed, feeling of suspicion.

have doubts about

Expresses uncertainty and reservations regarding something.

be skeptical about

Implies a questioning attitude, often doubting the validity of a claim or situation.

be wary of

Suggests a cautious approach due to a feeling of potential danger or deception.

be leery of

Expresses caution and a reluctance to fully trust someone or something.

harbor suspicions

Focuses on the act of holding or maintaining suspicious thoughts.

find questionable

Indicates that something appears dubious or suspicious upon examination.

distrust

Directly indicates a lack of trust or confidence in someone or something.

sense something amiss

Highlights an intuitive feeling that something is wrong or out of place.

perceive as dubious

Focuses on the act of recognizing something as questionable or unreliable.

FAQs

How can I use "feel suspicious" in a sentence?

You can use "feel suspicious" to describe a sense of unease or distrust about something. For example, "I feel suspicious about the offer because it seems too good to be true" or "She felt suspicious when she saw a strange car parked outside her house."

What are some alternatives to "feel suspicious"?

Some alternatives include "have a sneaking suspicion", "be wary of", or "distrust", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to say "I'm feeling suspicious"?

Yes, "I'm feeling suspicious" is grammatically correct and conveys the same meaning as "I feel suspicious". Both phrases indicate a present state of unease or distrust.

What's the difference between "feel suspicious" and "know something is wrong"?

"Feel suspicious" implies a hunch or intuition without concrete evidence. "Know something is wrong", on the other hand, suggests a stronger sense of certainty based on observed facts or evidence.